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Tetra (Astyanax validus) — Characidae

Tetra

Astyanax validus
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tetra (Astyanax validus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The robust astyanax tetra is a characin (Characidae) from southeastern Brazil. The species is a sturdily built tetra-like fish with a silvery body and an adipose fin. It is mostly captured upstream and apparently stays in groups, in creeks with alternating fast-flowing stretches with sandy bottoms and calm sections with silty bottoms. As an omnivore it eats insects, small invertebrates, algae and plant matter. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tetra?

The Tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tetra live?

The Tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Tetra get?

The Tetra grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Tetra edible?

The Tetra is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Robuuste astyanax-tetra sourced
English name
Tetra sourced
Scientific name
Astyanax validus
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Astyanax

More from the family Characidae

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